This evening (9:30PM Pacific) I noticed they were spotted on 12 meter CW. I didn't think we would have propagation this late in the evening, but sure enough, they were strong enough for a QSO on the first call. So that's 3 bands and 3 modes now. Still need 10, 20, and 40 but I'm happy with what I have so far

John K7KB

Eastern Europe and the Middle East has been opening up fairly well in the evenings here at my QTH (Washington), so if you wanted Uzbekistan, now would be the time to listen. Just in the last couple of days I've heard good signals from Lebanon, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel, Kuwait, etc. I think Spring is my favorite DX'ing season

John K7KB

I'm not sure if pulling the plug and going QRT is the best way to handle a pileup. Seems to me that many of the better DX'pedition operators know how to control the pileup and keep on plugging away, despite the rudeness of other operators.

John K7KB

Welcome back I finally got back into the hobby again a little over a year ago after almost 25 years and was bitten by the DX bug again. Now I have a 3-element SteppIR up 72 feet on a US Tower TX-472 and enjoying the beam. I plan on sticking with it this time and hope you will be around the bands for awhile as well.

73's & Gud DX!

John K7KB

Let us know how well the loop antenna works out for you Gene. I might be in the market to get one myself

John K7KB

I've never had any problems with HRO Portland and they have always treated me well. I've had some major purchases (US Tower TX-472) and a lot of miscellaneous items ordered without a hitch. The only time I did have an issue (missing connector in a order), they had it to me the next day. A thumbs up from me

John K7KB

And that's why I do business with HRO almost exclusively now. I know which items are in stock when I order, they are quick to ship out those orders, and if there has been any problem, quick to resolve it. A big thumbs up to HRO, especially their Portland outlet.

John K7KB

There is no denying that MFJ fills a need in the Amateur community. To provide a variety of items for the ham at a reasonable price. However, their QC leaves something to be desired. As someone who has had their ALS-1300 Solid State amplifier fail 4 times in a year, I should know. It finally took getting a complete PS replacement to correct the issue. Recently I purchased a MFJ-852 Line Noise receiver and upon opening the case, found the positive lead of the battery was broken off. I'm pretty sure I didn't do it opening the case, so it was probably done at the factory, or was just barely holding on by a couple of strands and broke off being jostled. Also if you look at how the receiver is mounted on the Yagi antenna, they use two bent brackets that attach from the "Driven/Active" element to the studs on each side of the receiver. The problem is that the brackets are the same size, while the attachment to the antenna elements are offset. So once you install the brackets you soon find that your receiver won't attach without modifications. So you get out the hammer and go to work making one of the brackets longer so you can get the receiver mounted. My point being, how hard would it have been for MFJ to send one bracket that was slightly longer so you wouldn't have to do this?

Their lack of attention to detail and quality control is what gives MFJ it's reputation. Considering the amount of negative posts I've seen over that past few months since I got back into the hobby, plus my own experience with MFJ products, they probably deserve it. I only hope they will improve and confidence in buying their products will be restored.

John K7KB

Trevor is down to his last 14 Days of operation:

http://www.qrz.com/db/vk0th

But it sounds like he is really trying to give the deserving a new one. I hope everyone who needs it gets in the log. I would like a few new bandfills but I was happy just working him on 15 meters a few months ago.

John K7KB

The only QSO I have with Uzbekistan was with Mike, UK8OM on 40 meter CW. To get him on 40 was a small miracle itself but the conditions were just right at the time. I haven't heard one since on the other bands.

John K7KB

I don't think the ARRL could have made submitting for the Diamond Challenge any more difficult if they tried. Good Lord, on the record sheet you are suppose to list QSO's by the station you worked by callsign alpha-numerically according to the DXCC List publication. The best part is their scorecard will not let you sort by callsign I think I'm just going to list them according to what's on the scorecard and if the ARRL doesn't like it, oh well, I can live without the award.

John K7KB

Hi all. I'm about ready to submit my form for the DXCC Diamond Challenge award but I'm not sure which Entity name they need on the application form. Is it the current 2012 Entity name, or the Challenge 1937 Country name? Anyone know or do you think they would accept either?

John K7KB

That's great to hear Paul. I tried to work Darko on his last DX'pedition there but I just couldn't get through. Hopefully I will have better luck this time

John K7KB

I would cure this opinion with one easy fix. First I would load the tower as a vertical radiator and make it into a antenna. Then if the building inspector didn't believe you, then I would say "How about holding the tower while I key up my Kilowatt amplifier."  

But as Fred advises, make sure you read the entire zoning. For example, in the county I live in, Amateur Radio towers are classified as "Towers, Private", with a height restriction of 75 feet. However, there is an entirely different section for Wireless Communications Facilities (Cell towers) with a lot more stringent building codes. The biggest challenge I had when applying for my permit was convincing the Building and Planning drones that a Amateur Radio tower is not the same as a Wireless Communications tower, both for the building codes and engineering specifications. It can be done, but takes a lot of research on your part.

John K7KB

I worked a few of those entities (3B8, 3B9, VQ9, etc.) last November when the Solar Flux was hitting around 175. Since then I've worked a few Indian Ocean stations but not like it was back in November. I wish those conditions would return again soon

John K7KB